Who else must leave?

Liverpool's transfer policy has had twin aims this summer. Revamping the squad by purchasing talented British youngsters has been a clear priority, with the Reds demonstrating this by spending a combined approximate total of £44 million on Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam. However, their intention to remove large chunks of the deadwood that built up in the squad during the ill-fated Hicks and Gillett era has proven more difficult to fulfil.

The much-maligned Paul Konchesky, who failed to impress following a £5 million move from Fulham last summer, was swiftly sold to Championship outfit Leicester City for a fraction of the price that was paid to purchase the 30-year old left back. Meanwhile, Milan Jovanovic (whose Anfield career was comically summarised by the video below) has finally agreed to join Belgian side Anderlecht after the proposed transfer was in danger of collapsing due to the Serb's unrealistic wage demands.


However, new American owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are still left struggling to reduce their excessive wage bill, with many underperforming players remaining at the club, content to routinely claim their undeserved pay-checks while contributing very little on the pitch.

The main culprit in the eyes of many supporters is Joe Cole who, despite generating plenty of optimism upon his arrival, has woefully failed to live up to his much-vaunted potential. The likeable Londoner may have joined on a free transfer but he hasn't come cheap, with £90,000 a week seemingly wasted on the frustratingly injury-prone number 10.

Also, the enigmatic Cole has proven to be somewhat nomadic at Anfield, as he seems unable to settle in a particular position and claim a place in the first eleven as his own. Ideally, Cole sees himself as an attacking midfielder playing in the ‘trequartista’ role just off the main striker. In reality though Cole has struggled to get any significant playing time and, when afforded a rare appearance, he has often been shafted out onto the left or right wing, where he has made little impact on proceedings.

Although widely seen as a skilful and inventive midfielder who could add a creative spark to our attack, Cole's disappointing first season leaves him with much still to prove. If any manager can get the best out of Joe Cole it is Kenny Dalglish, however it would not be surprising if the legendary Scot decided to cut his losses and arrange for his departure from Anfield this August.


Cole himself appears to have admitted defeat, possibly indicating where his future lies by recently putting his house up for sale, with rumours that his Formby home has already been sold also circulating in the media and online.

The manager who signed Cole, and received universal praise for doing so, was infamous for signing several spectacular flops during his brief yet destructive reign at the Anfield managerial helm. Not only did Hodgson sign the abysmal Paul Konchesky, and the hopelessly past his best Joe Cole, he also ludicrously sanctioned the purchase of ageing Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen from Juventus for just under £5 million.

The blonde-haired defensive midfielder is another to have left the Kop disappointed, disillusioned and disgusted, and who must be headed for an imminent exit. His style of play is slow and uninfluential, the game regularly passes him by and he evidently lacks the quality to make it on Merseyside.

Moreover, with Meireles and Lucas forming a flourishing partnership last season, the promising pair Henderson and Adam arriving from Sunderland and Blackpool respectively and youngsters Spearing and Shelvey impressing, Poulsen faces heavy competition for a place in the middle of the park.

And I haven't even mentioned Steven Gerrard!

Increased competition for places could also force Poulsen's teammate David Ngog to depart in order to secure regular first team football, with the young French striker struggling to work his way into Kenny Dalglish's plans following the double signing of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in the January transfer window.

With Suarez's fancy footwork dazzling the Kop, battering-ram Andy Carroll adding a formidable and intimidating physical presence and the tireless Dirk Kuyt finally hitting top form in his preferred striking role, Ngog found himself on the outskirts of the first eleven during the dying stages of last season.


Although the tall 22-year old has displayed some potential during pre-season and could remain for a further season in order to fulfil the role of fourth choice forward, Liverpool are likely to accept any serious offer and some of his sterner critics would be willing to give him a lift to the airport.

The likes of Brad Jones, Philipp Degen and Nabil El Zhar are surplus to requirements and will be moved on as quickly as possible, while injury-ravaged Brazilian left back Fabio Aurelio could leave if a replacement is found in time.

As the press predictably focus on the big names being introduced to the media at Melwood, the red revolution inspired by the return of King Kenny must be quietly yet crucially quickened by ushering many of the above hastily out of the back door.

YNWA